Moscow to Prague

6 countries11 cities12 UNESCO World Heritage-listed sitesAn unforgettable journey through Russia, the Baltics and Eastern Europe. Explore medieval castles, a Soviet bunker and grand palaces. Tour the heritage-listed cities of Tallinn and Riga, and discover the history and opulence of Moscow, St Petersburg and Prague.We begin in RussiaOur fascinating Europe tour starts in Russia where we'll explore Moscow, stopping at the famous Red Square, the Kremlin, and the city's Grand Metro, before heading to St Petersburg where we'll visit the world famous Hermitage Museum.Medieval EuropeAs our Europe tour continues, we journey through the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania. Along the way we'll stop in Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius. All of these cities have a medieval atmosphere which you'll feel as you walk down cobblestone streets, sample the delights of cafes in old-world town squares, and visit gothic town halls.Poland and PragueNext stop Poland. Here we'll spend time in Warsaw and Krakow, one of Europe's most beautiful cities, rivalled only by Prague - which is where we'll finish our Europe tour. You'll love Prague - it's a wonderfully vibrant city and is home to some of Europe's most stunning gothic and Baroque architecture.

Inclusions

Travel

Return economy-class flights from Australia to Europe. Taxes included

Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour

All touring in air-conditioned vehicles

High-speed train from Moscow to St Petersburg

Train journey from Warsaw to Krakow

Tipping Made Easy, $260pp pre-paid

Accommodation & Meals

22 nights in good quality hotels (3-4 star)

22 breakfasts and group welcome and farewell dinners

Tour Guides

English-speaking locally based tour director

English-speaking locally based guides

Porterage

Porterage included where available

Sightseeing

Uncover the treasures of Russia

Enjoy the highlights of Moscow including the lavishly decorated Metro Stations, Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral, and see iconic Moscow University.

Visit the famous Kremlin with its museums, cathedrals, palaces and towers.

Travel to St Petersburg on the SAPSAN High-Speed train.

Visit the world-famous Hermitage museum, the third largest museum in the world containing over 3 million masterpieces including pieces by famous sculptors and artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt and Picasso.

Enjoy a guided tour of one of St Petersburg's most beautiful palaces, Peterhof, and enjoy some free time to wander through the gardens.

Discover more of St Petersburg on a panoramic tour through the palace square and see the Baroque-style Winter Palace. Also see the majestic domes of the Orthodox churches such as St Isaac's Cathedral and the Church of St Saviour upon the Blood Spilled. Finally, visit the Peter & Paul Fortress.

Be surprised by the beautiful Baltics

Enjoy a walking tour of Castle Hill and the Lower Old Town in Tallinn with its town wall, 15th century town hall and medieval buildings.

Visit the majestic Turaida Castle, an ancient medieval castle built in the 13th century which is now part of the surrounding museum reserve.

Tour a declassified underground Soviet bunker. Built in the 1980s during the Cold War, the Ligatne Bunker was a strategically placed hiding place for leaders of the Soviet Communist party in Latvia.

Stroll through the cobblestone, picturesque streets of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Riga.

Go backstage at the Riga Opera with a champagne reception.

Receive a Rococo-Style welcome at opulent Rundale Palace.

See the sacred pilgrimage site of the Hill of Crosses, where many thousands of crosses have been placed on a hill as a plea for blessings.

Tour the charming city of Vilnius, including the Vilnius University, and the Amber Gallery.

Discover the charm and history of Poland

See the eerie Wolf's Lair in Ketrzyn, Hitler's first Eastern Headquarters during WWII.

Explore the Old Town of Warsaw and drive along the Royal Route to see the city's beautiful palaces, residences and churches.

Learn about WWII history at the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial and the Monument of the Warsaw Uprising.

Enjoy a walking tour through Krakow's charming Old Town with it's famous medieval town square and the imposing St Mary's Church.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines, dating back to the late 13th century.

Pause to reflect on the horrors of war at the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Explore the fairytale castles and bridges of the Czech Republic

Visit the Moravian Karst, a natural beauty with more than 1,100 caverns and coves.

Tour the beautiful town of Cesky Krumlov and it's spectacular castle complex.

Explore Hradcany, Prague's castle district, and visit Prague Castle which dominates the city's skyline and is the largest castle complex in the world.

Walk through Prague's Jewish Quarter and the magnificent Old Town Square, home to the Astronomical clock.

Visit the famous Kremlin, a magnificent architectural ensemble of museums, cathedrals, palaces and towers, and the symbol of the USSR during the Cold War. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. [B]

Day 5. Moscow - St Petersburg

This morning we travel north via high-speed train to the beautiful city of St Petersburg, an elegant display of Imperial Russia and the birthplace of the Russian Revolution. This afternoon we'll visit the world-famous Hermitage Museum. The third-largest museum in the world, it houses more than 3 million masterpieces, including artwork by famous sculptors and artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt and Picasso! [B]

Day 6. St Petersburg

We visit the stunning Peterhof Grand Palace and have some free time to wander through the exquisite gardens this morning. Later this afternoon we'll enjoy a panoramic city tour, taking in the baroque Winter Palace, Peter & Paul Fortress and the impressive Cathedral of Peter & Paul. [B]

Day 7. St Petersburg

Enjoy a day at leisure. Why not visit the museums, take a cruise along the canals or go shopping on Nevsky Prospekt? [B]

Day 8. St Petersburg - Tallinn

We cross the Russian border into neighbouring Estonia, the smallest of the three Baltic states. We'll travel through the countryside to arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Tallinn. [B]

Day 9. Tallinn

Today we explore medieval Tallinn. Step back in time as we tour the Old Town, stopping at the 15th century gothic Town Hall and St Nicholas Church. The afternoon is free for you to discover this picturesque city at your own pace. [B]

Day 10. Tallinn - Riga

We continue to the Latvian capital, Riga, stopping en route at the gothic Turaida Castle, a medieval castle built in the 13th century. [B]

Special Experience: Along the way we'll visit a secret underground Soviet bunker. Declassified in 2003, the Ligatne Bunker was constructed in the 1980s for the political elite who would govern the state in the event of a nuclear war.

Day 11. Riga

This morning we stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Riga on a walking tour. Highlights include St Peter's Church, the Dome Cathedral, the ancient Hanseatic City, the Freedom Monument and Old Riga Castle. [B]

Special Experience: We'll go behind the scenes of the Riga Opera. Our backstage pass includes a champagne reception.

Day 12. Riga - Hill of Crosses - Vilnius

Special Experience: Receive a rococo-style welcome at Rundale Palace. We'll be greeted in accordance with court etiquette and escorted through the opulent apartments, before enjoying a short baroque music concert.

We then cross the border into Lithuania and make our way to Vilnius. Along the way, we'll visit the Hill of Crosses, a sacred pilgrimage site where many thousands of crosses have been placed as a plea for blessings. During Soviet times, the crosses would be removed by the authorities but within hours they would start to reappear. [B]

Day 13. Vilnius

This morning we tour the beautiful capital, Vilnius, known for its baroque architecture and alluring charm. [B]

Day 14. Vilnius - Gizycko

We farewell Lithuania today and cross the border into Poland, making our way to Gizycko. Explore the town on a walking tour here, to take in the city sights. Enjoy the evening at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace. [B]

Day 15. Gizycko - Warsaw

Special Experience: See the eerie Wolf's Lair in Ketrzyn, Hitler's first Eastern Headquarters during WWII.

Next, watch the picturesque countryside pass us by as we head to the Polish capital, Warsaw. [B]

Day 16. Warsaw

Our morning tour of the city includes the reconstructed Old Town, a drive along a portion of the Royal Route, a visit to the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial and a stop at the Chopin Monument. [B]

Day 17. Warsaw - Krakow

Today we sit back and enjoy the scenery on a relaxing train ride to Krakow. A harmonious and elegant city, rich in history. Here we will take a tour of the highlights. At its heart is the historic Old Town Square - make sure you look up when we enter St Mary's Church, the interior is unexpectedly breathtaking! [B]

Day 18. Krakow

Special Experience:This morning we'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine - one of the world's oldest operating mines, dating back to the 13th century.

In the afternoon we pay a moving visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp, which stands as a poignant reminder of the horrors of World War II. [B]

Day 19. Krakow

Spend the day at leisure, enjoying this glorious city at your own pace.[B]

Day 20. Krakow - Brno

We cross the border into the Czech Republic today and head to the town of Brno. In the afternoon we visit the Moravian Karst, a natural beauty with more than 1,100 caverns and coves. [B]

Day 21. Brno - Cesky Krumlov

Today we make our way to the magical fairytale village of Cesky Krumlov. Dating back to 1240, Cesky Krumlov's red-roofed castle is straight out of the pages of a storybook! [B]

Day 22. Cesky Krumlov - Prague

This morning we explore the heritage-listed town, centred on its spectacular castle. We'll learn about its fascinating history and explore the picturesque surroundings. Enjoy some leisure time here to relax or discover more before we travel north to stunning Prague, one of the world's most beautiful cities. [B]

Day 23. Prague

Set on the banks of the River Vltava and spanned by more than 30 bridges, Prague is a visual delight. We take an in-depth city tour. We'll visit the Castle District of Hradcany and walk through Prague Castle and its iconic St Vitus' Cathedral. We'll then wander the charming streets of the Old Town, taking in the Jewish Quarter, and finish the tour at Wenceslas Square. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before our group farewell dinner this evening. [B,D]